Russia: Coal Exports Up 33% M-o-M in Mar’18

Russian coal exports have increased 33% on the month to 20.31 MnT in Mar’18, compared with 15.26 MnT in Feb’18. Exports had also inched up slightly higher on the year from 20.21 MnT in Mar’17.

Russian coal exports have been rising in CY18; the country has posted higher exports on the year-on-year basis during each of the first 3 months (Jan’18-Mar’18). Besides, progressive growth on the monthly basis is also seen from Jan’18.

During the first quarter of CY18 (Jan’18-Mar’18), coal export from the country has risen 10% Y-o-Y to 47.25 MnT, against 42.89 MnT recorded in the same quarter last year.

Grade-wise Coal Exports in Mar’18:
Exports of the major coal grades had increased during the month of Mar’18. Non coking coal export had surged to 16.08 MnT in Mar’18 against 11.72 MnT in Feb’18. Coking coal export was up 25% on the month to 2.18 MnT in Mar’18. Anthracite coal exports had also increased during the month.

A monthly decline of 26% was seen in Pet coke shipments, while Met coke exports remain almost unchanged in Mar’18.

Source: Russian Customs
Quantity in MnT

Major coal Importers:
South Korea replaced China to become the largest receiver of Russian coal in Mar’18. South Korean coal imports had doubled on the month to 2.66 MnT in Mar’18, but were still 9% lower on the the year compared with 2.92 MnT in Mar’17.

Chinese coal imports were recorded at 2.52 MnT in Mar’18, up 29% M-o-M from 1.95 MnT in Feb’18 and 10% Y-o-Y from 2.3 MnT in Mar’17.

Japan was the third-largest coal receiver with imports of 1.94 MnT in Mar’18. Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine, and Poland were among the other major coal importers during the month.

Source: Russian customs | Quantity in MnT

Russian Coal Imports:
Russia’s coal import rose 86% on the month to 1.8 MnT in Mar’18 compared with 0.97 MnT in Feb’18. Kazakhstan remained the largest coal supplier with exports of 1.42 MnT during the month.

Russian coal imports have totaled 4.54 MnT during the first quarter of CY18.